The provincial government says more than 500 U.S. health professionals have accepted jobs in B.C., with Island Health getting the largest share.
In total, 504 health professionals – including doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and allied health professionals – have accepted jobs across B.C. between March 2025 and February 2026, 141 of which landed jobs in Island Health.
Fraser Health saw the second highest number of U.S. health professionals, with 110 coming to the area.
As a result of incoming health professionals from the U.S., the provincial government says 223,000 people were matched to a primary care provider in 2025 alone.
“Primary care is how people get answers early, stay healthier, and avoid more serious issues down the road. That’s why connecting more people to family doctors and nurse practitioners across B.C. has been a top priority,” said Premier David Eby.
“At the same time, more doctors and health professionals from the United States are choosing B.C. because they can focus on patients in a strong public system that values their work. That means shorter waits and better care when you need it most.”
READ PREVIOUS: Island Health has enough family doctors for everyone, so why are some without?
People without a primary care provider are encouraged to register on the Health Connect Registry.
The B.C. government says 77 per cent of British Columbians now have a primary care provider.
“This past year, we’ve made strong progress – expanding training here at home while also bringing more health-care professionals to B.C. from the U.S. and around the world,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health.
“More and more people are getting connected to a primary care provider, and communities are seeing new doctors, nurses and allied health professionals delivering care in hospitals, clinics and community settings. There’s more work ahead, but these results show we’re moving in the right direction and they strengthen our resolve to keep going.”
The province says the 504 health professionals that have come to B.C. include 109 doctors, of which 25 are family doctors, 315 nurses, 51 nurse practitioners, and 29 allied health professionals.
In addition to those who have accepted jobs, the province says more than 2,900 U.S. workers have applied to work in B.C.
U.S. health care workers bring their expertise to Vancouver Island
Dr. Victoria Wilkins is a U.S. pediatrician who moved to Victoria in June 2025.
“I am a pediatrician and I specialize in Fragile X syndrome. In June 2025, my family and I moved from Utah to beautiful B.C.,” Wilkins said.
“My pledge to myself when I came here is that I would do everything I could to help reduce the wait to see a pediatrician. I’m fulfilling that commitment by working in multiple practices where additional support is needed and am working with the VICAN program at Queen Alexandra Hospital.”
Dr. Christina Drostin is a U.S. family doctor who moved to Victoria in July 2025 and says she is “grateful and happy to be living and working here in Victoria.”
“I am a family doctor who moved from the U.S. to B.C. last July,” Drostin said.
“When I asked my partner where in Canada we should go, she immediately cried out ‘Vancouver Island, of course!’ At my new job at a local community health centre, I have the joy of establishing new patients to my panel as a family doctor.”
READ MORE FROM MARCH: Nearly 100 U.S. health workers have accepted jobs on Vancouver Island amid recruitment push